Going home for the holidays can be stressful enough, what with flight delays and the anxiety over family drama. Make it easier on yourself and keep what you bring to a minimum. Sure it's tempting to create looks for a variety of occasions (what if you bump into your ex from high school?) but realistically, you need one going-out look and a variety of mix-and-match comfy duds to relax in.

We've put together a few looks to inspire your packing before you head off to the homestead. Keep it real, keep it simple and keep it relatively conservative. Would grandma want to see you in it? One pants look with heels is enough for a nice dinner with family or cocktails with old friends. One casual look with jeans and warm boots will get you through your last-minute shopping trips. With a few cotton layering pieces, sweatpants, leggings and a cardigan you'll be set for baking, cooking and setting up your very own lounge Central Command Unit on the couch.

A contributing writer to theFashionSpot, Marisa has penned articles and features in over a dozen online and print publications. She's worked as fashion critic and creative director for papierdoll.com, been the managing editor for Caribbean-based Ocean Style Magazine, and worked with Set Magazine, a luxury lifestyle magazine based in Zurich, as a contributing editor. She splits her time between New York, Los Angeles and her hometown as a freelance fashion and cultural copywriter, editor and journalist. You can find out more at her site marisaswanson.com and follow her on Twitter @mraswan.